We salute our firefighters

United States fire and rescue departments responded to more than 400,000 home fires in 2010. These home fires killed almost 3,000 - or about nine people every day.

Our local volunteer fire and rescue departments train and focus on ways to prevent fires, and the deaths, injuries, and property loss they cause.

Eighty-four percent of all fire deaths are attributed to a home fire. Providing valuable information on fire and burn prevention and safety tips helps the public keep their homes and its occupants safe from fire and burns.

Fire Prevention Week each October commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. That fire, which lasted for two days, killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 people homeless, and destroyed more than 17,000 buildings.

Leading causes of fires in the home include cooking, heating, and electrical. Smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths.

The leading injuries resulting from fires in the home are burns. Burns are painful and can result in serious scarring and even death. The most common types of burn are contact burns, scalds, and burns from fire or flame.

Someone was injured in a home fire every 40 minutes last year and a fire department responded to a home fire every 70 seconds. By implementing simple safety measures, many home fires and home fire injuries can be prevented.

We are fortunate to have very dedicated, well-equipped volunteer fire and rescue departments throughout Cherokee County that never fail to answer the call.

Please support their annual fund-raisers like the Firemen's Dance, and continue to let them know how much we appreciate them year around.